The Zambezi region in northeastern Namibia has recorded 33,944 cases of malaria since January, resulting in 22 deaths, according to health authorities.
Local media reported on Saturday, citing the same sources, that the health centers of Moyako, Chui, and Sishiki are among the main hotspots for the disease, accounting for 49 percent of the 706 cases recently recorded over a five-week period.
Health authorities identified several factors contributing to the spread of the disease, including mosquito breeding grounds near the village of Moyako and Lake Limbezi, exposure to mosquito bites during outdoor activities in Chui, and stagnant water and poor sanitation in Sishiki.
The indoor spraying campaign continues, despite some residents' reservations.
In this context, Jacobina Nangombe, head of the team responsible for the operation, said that the reluctance of some residents does not significantly affect the campaign's progress, explaining that "they contact us again, and we resume spraying."
In Sangowale, traditional authorities noted improved cooperation from residents, who are being encouraged to allow specialized teams into their homes to bolster malaria control efforts.
At the beginning of September, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindau, announced that Namibia had recorded more than 122,000 confirmed cases of malaria and 122 deaths since the beginning of the year.
The minister explained that the spraying campaign is being carried out in response to the rising number of cases, which has prompted the government to revise its malaria prevention and elimination strategy.
She added that 122,612 confirmed cases and 9,956 hospitalizations have been recorded nationwide, noting that 81 percent of infections were locally transmitted, while 19 percent were imported cases.
To curb imported cases, Namibia intends to formalize cross-border surveillance mechanisms, data sharing, and coordination on a joint response with neighboring countries, namely Angola, Zambia, and Botswana, according to the minister.
Data from the Ministry of Health revealed that the previous spraying campaign covered only about 40 percent of targeted households, compared to a target coverage of 85 percent, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
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